Bonds’ Stock Is Still On Rise Giants’ Star Hopes His Fat Contract Inspires Others To Go For The Dough
One day after becoming the highest-paid player in baseball history, Barry Bonds encouraged his peers to surpass the record $11.45 million he’ll average in 1999 and 2000.
“I’m rooting for them,” Bonds said Friday as he prepared for the San Francisco Giants’ first full-squad workout of spring training. “That’s the beautiful thing about America, isn’t it?”
A few hours later, Bonds showed why he got a $22.9 million, two-year contract extension. In 28 batting practice swings, he slammed three massive homers and hit three more shots to the warning track.
Bonds, who was shopping for groceries Thursday afternoon when the Giants and his agent negotiated the final details of his contract extension, said he was relieved the deal was closed before the first spring workout.
“I’m happy to just concentrate on baseball and trying to win,” he said. “I’m glad we both are committed to each other in trying to win. I’m very happy. I’m very excited. It won’t be my last (contract), it will be my last big one.”
Bonds, 32, who works feverishly in the off-season to maintain his physical condition, said there was no celebration Thursday night - in fact, he was in bed by 9:30 p.m.
Bonds said if he can stay in shape, he’d like to play until he’s 40. That would be just fine with Giants manager Dusty Baker.
“I’m happy to have the best player in baseball, and we all want to ride on the Barry Bonds bullet train for the next four years,” Baker said. “This is Barry’s team. The main thing now is to get the supporting cast together. You can’t do it by yourself.”
Bonds signed a $43.75 million, six-year free-agent deal with the Giants in December 1992 that was the biggest at that time. He had the highest annual salary until Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr. agreed to a four-year deal with an $8.5 million average in January 1996.
Albert Belle took over as the highest-paid player last November when he signed a $55 million, five-year contract with the Chicago White Sox - an $11 million average.
Belle praised Bonds for surpassing his salary, but some baseball officials will not be so enthusiastic.
Oakland general manager Sandy Alderson said Friday the Giants’ deal with Bonds will have implications throughout baseball.
“It’s more evidence of a very disturbing trend. It affects us all,” said Alderson, who may face a similar situation after this season when Mark McGwire becomes eligible for free agency. “It’s easy to say it’s just those guys, but that’s not the case. I wonder where the revenues are going to come from, and I don’t mean just in the Giants’ case.”
Bonds thinks Griffey is the most likely to surpass his contract.
“I think Junior is going to break it,” Bonds said. “He’ll probably get $15 million (a year). He’s pretty much as talented, if not more, than any of us.”
Bonds’ extension contains a clause requiring better efforts at community relations. He has had sometimes-testy relationships with reporters and fans, but said he’s willing to commit more of his time to such dealings.
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: A GAME OF RICHES Bonds, a three-time N.L. MVP, has regained the distinction of having baseball’s highest average salary.